How to Write a Romance Novel--Dialog

Dialog is a crucial element in romance novels. At least I think it is. I love writing and reading dialog. It moves the story forward (plot), lets us get to know the characters without telling (characterization), tells us what's important (theme), defines the mood and tone (setting), gives us insight to the author (voice), gets us into the characters' heads (POV), and exposes problems (conflict). Great dialog can lift a book to another level of enjoyment.

Personally I'm a dialog slut. I write b...